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Ticket scalping legislation

Major Events Act 2009

The Major Events Act 2009 replaces
the Major Sporting Events Act 2009 to greater protect the community from ticket
scalping.

The changes to the Act will ensure
that consumers are given a fair go when purchasing tickets, giving all
Victorians the chance to attend events without being priced out or made to pay
exorbitant costs to attend major events.

The Minister for Tourism and Major
Events can now declare an event as a major event, where it will become an
offence to resell (and/or to advertise for resale) any ticket to the event for
more than 10 percent above the face value of the ticket.

Cultural events including theatre
events, concerts, gallery exhibitions and festivals will now have the potential
to be declared major events under the new legislation.

New authorised ticketing officers will
be appointed who will be able to fine scalpers who target declared major
events, and assist Victoria Police in the enforcement of the Act.

Current declared major events

The following major events are subject to a Major
Event Ticketing Declaration and are protected under the Major Events Act 2009:

How do I report cases of ticket scalping?

Information for ticket buyers

Consumers should take care when buying
a ticket from a second-hand seller - whether it's in person, over the phone, or
through a third-party website such as Viagogo or Gumtree - as there is always a
risk that the ticket is not genuine.

A non-genuine ticket can mean the
customer has paid too much for the ticket, or it may not be valid for the
event. This may mean the customer is blocked from entering the event and won't
be eligible for a refund on the money spent.

Under changes to the Major Events Act 2009, tickets to declared major
events cannot be resold and/or advertised for resale for more than 10%
above the face value of the ticket.

Consumers are encouraged to check the
original purchase price of a ticket before buying one from a second-hand seller
to ensure the resale price is not being inflated.

New authorised ticketing officers
will support Victoria Police in enforcing the new law and prosecuting ticket scalpers.
Penalties can range from $806 up to $483,500 depending on the nature of the
offences.

Information for ticket sellers

The Victorian Government is cracking
down on ticket scalpers to help genuine sporting fans and music lovers access
tickets for the many events on Victoria's events calendar, without having to
pay inflated prices.

Resale of tickets to sporting and
entertainment events is generally legal in Victoria, however ticket sellers are
advised not raise the price of the ticket by more than 10%.

For ticket holders wanting to resell
their tickets to a declared major event, it is now an offence to advertise or
resell a ticket for more than 10% above the face value of the ticket.

Penalties can range from $806 up to
$483,500 depending on the nature of the offences.

If you have queries about your
obligations as a ticket seller under the new legislation, please contact DEDJTR
by calling (03) 9651 9999 or emailing fairgo.forfans@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Information for industry

The Victorian Government is working
hard to ensure Victoria's major events calendar remains one of the largest,
prestigious and most successful in the world.

The Act will help regulate the
secondary ticket market to ensure it operates in the interests of fans by
providing for increased accessibility and transparency, and supports the
long-term development of the live events and creative industries, in particular
music and theatre.

New authorised ticketing officers
will be given equivalent powers to that available to police officers under the
ticket scalping provisions of the Act, to support the Victorian Police in the
enforcement of the Act.

To enquire about having an event
declared as a major event under the Act, please contact DEDJTR by calling (03)
9651 9999 or emailing fairgo.forfans@ecodev.vic.gov.au.